Major oxides study of the Euphrates River bed sediments from north Hilla to the Shatt Al-Arab at Basrah cities

Abstract

The major oxides of the terrigenousbed sediments in the Euphrates River described in the present paper, was carried out through the field work during 2018; thus about 25 core samples from eight river bed sediment sites (from S1 to S12) along the course of the river to the Shatt Al-Arab River from Hilla to Basrah cities. The coordinate number of these sites are between 38°41°32.48″N–38°14′24.10″N latitude and 39°56′4.59″E–39°8°13.41′′E longitude. Ten of major oxides were determined by XRF technique, these are SiO2, CaO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, SO3 and P2O5 in addition to LOI. SiO2is the highest abundance, whileP2O5is the lowest; however SiO2, and TiO2 decrease from Hilla to Basrah cities, whereas CaO, and MgO increase in the same direction. The mean abundance of the major oxides of the Euphrates River bed sediments may order as following; SiO2 >CaO>Al2O3>Fe2O3>MgO>K2O >Na2O >TiO2> SO3> P2O5. The source rocks of these sediments is mafic, and its geochemical classification is Fe-sand extends to Fe-shale. The geochemical weathering restricted between moderate to low degree. According to the elemental ratio, CaO, SiO2, Fe2O3, MgO, and TiO2are enrichment, whereas Al2O3, K2O, P2O5, and SO3 are depletion. The paleoclimatic condition of the clastic bed sediments is arid coincide with low to moderate chemical maturity. the tectonic setting of clasts sediment fall in the island arc field.